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Pilot error blamed for fatal helicopter crash
LITTLE ROCK (AP) — A deadly helicopter crash near Quitman that killed a wildlife officer is being blamed on the pilot’s failure to execute an emergency maneuver.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that the error made during a forced landing likely caused the crash of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission helicopter. The NTSB report also says the loss of rotor rpm contributed to the crash.
Monty Carmikle of Heber Springs died in the crash. Pilot Jerry Fryar of Ozark was treated at a Conway hospital. -
Army deserter arrested in Ark.
MOUNTAIN HOME (AP) — Sheriff’s deputies say an Arkansas woman who allegedly deserted the Army in April 2008 has been arrested near her hometown.
Baxter County Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Lewis says a deputy arrested 25-year-old Naomi Christine Hobbs of Mountain Home after a traffic stop Wednesday in the town of Cotter. Lewis says the deputy ran Hobbs’ name through a national database and discovered the Army wanted her for desertion. -
Food drive announced
Fitness Bootcamp Unlimited will host a food drive to benefit Batesville Help and Hope.
Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Nov. 2. Those donating a bag of food will receive a free week of classes.
Fitness Bootcamp is located at 750 Lawrence St. in Batesville. -
Hammerfest planned
Mountain View — The sound of hammers striking anvils will add a counterpoint to the music at the Ozark Folk Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 10 as Hammerfest and the craft of ironwork are celebrated, according to a news release.
Blacksmiths will be demonstrating techniques throughout the day that include forge welding, iron sculpting and tool making at the Blacksmith Shop in the Craft Village. -
Driver’s license tests canceled
The Arkansas State Police Driver’s License exams will not be held Tuesday and Thursday in Batesville. The exams will resume on their regular schedule Oct. 13.
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Woman finds path to Christian romance writing
HARDY — When Christine Lynxwiler was looking for background for her writing she had to look no further than where she lived.
Character and places in her published works revolve around places like Hardy, Batesville and Cherokee Village and she says her family can supply some of the needed characters.
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Lynxwiler said her husband, Kevin, is her biggest supporter. In fact, she said she almost feels as though they’ve written the books together. He’s cooked meals and done things for the girls. -
Concord hopes for good news
CONCORD — The Concord School District hopes to get good news when Superintendent Mike Davidson and school board president Chris Roark visit with state Department of Education officials on Oct. 12.
Davidson hopes to learn at that time that the district is scheduled to go off the state’s fiscally distressed districts list, but nothing is guaranteed. -
Two charged in cemetery shooting
It started as a “scare tactic.”
That’s the story being told to authorities by one of the men who was present when 19-year-old Spencer Gates was shot early Thursday morning at Macedonia Cemetery near Newark.
According to Lt. Brenda Bittle with the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, Brian Fallis, 24, of Newark and Adam Jay Brewer, 23, of Batesville will face charges.
“We are seeking warrants today for attempted murder, first degree, which is a class A felony,” Bittle said.
Currently both are behind bars. -
Shooting suspect surrenders to police
A man wanted as a suspect in an early morning shooting this morning turned himself in to police shortly before noon, according to Lt. Brenda Bittle with the Independence County Sheriff’s Office.
Brian Fallis, 24, of Newark, considered to be “armed and dangerous” had been the subject of a manhunt in the Batesville area after his truck was found at a Hawkins Street address. -
Tech girls win 5A state crown
PARAGOULD — The home team won here Wednesday in the Girls Class 5A State Golf Tournament.
Led by Anna Flanrey’s 4-over-par 74, the Greene County Tech Lady Eagles held off the Greenwood Lady Bulldogs for an 8-stroke victory (246-254) on the Paragould Country Club course.
Tech’s other scores came from Clara Tefteller (85) and Allie Massey (87).
Flanrey and Wynne’s Caroline Boone shot 74s. Boone won the individual medal in a 1-hole playoff. -
Lady Panthers shoot last to first to win Class 4A state golf crown
The Heber Springs Lady Panthers completed a last-to-first surge in the Girls Class 4A State Golf Tournament at The Course at Eagle Mountain on Wednesday.
And that requires even more explanation than you would think. Heber Springs Coach Gaye Stark did manage to say it in a few words, however.
“Commitment,” she said of senior Brooke Blankenship’s and junior Morgan Fire’s big improvements. “And having Katie Webb transfer to your school doesn’t hurt.” -
Rams will try to get well in Batesville
This is not what Paragould Coach Tim Branum had in mind when he returned to Paragould and the 5A-East District.
“Health-wise, it’s been one of the worst years I ever remember,” he said. “We lost Steven Vericker, our quarterback, the first game with a knee injury. We lost Trent Wooldridge, our best running back, in week 2 to a hip injury. We’ve had three miss games with concussions, and Zach Franks, our best receiver, has been out all this week with the flu.”
Friday night, the Rams are scheduled to visit Batesville for another district contest.
